So Many Prescription Bottle Donations
SaddleBrooke Pet Rescue Network volunteers are working feverishly to process all the prescription bottles being donated by our generous and supportive neighbors. There are soooo many. To help them out, please only donate your used, empty, clean, and label- and adhesive-free prescription bottles that have a childproof cap. Some containers that are dropped off at Mezza Byte in our business center on SaddleBrooke Boulevard do not meet this criterion. If the labels are left on the containers for too long, they are very difficult to remove, even when using products such as Goo Gone. The containers you donate are intended to be used by veterinarians at the local animal shelters to dispense medication for animals in the shelter or in foster who are ill or injured; therefore, the veterinarians have set the criteria for acceptable containers. But which ones are the right ones to repurpose for the animal shelters? The answer: containers issued by a pharmacist. With up to 200-plus containers collected each week, it can get a little overwhelming when the wrong containers are donated. If a container is off the shelf, or has a label affixed by the drug manufacturer, it is not a prescription bottle, and we cannot take them. The labels will not come off of these types of containers. Please be sure that when you donate your containers, they are the right ones.
The shelters and SaddleBrooke Pet Rescue Network thank you for your support. Every little bit helps them care for lost and abandoned pets.
SaddleBrooke Pet Rescue Network’s Monthly Pet Donation Drop-Off Program
Karyle Steele
We thank everyone who has donated their pet items throughout this past year! Our various pet charities are always in need and are always thankful for your donations. Please consider dropping off any of the items listed below. Cash donations are also accepted and appreciated. The drop-off location is in SaddleBrooke One at the bocce ball court. It is the first Friday of every month.
Drop-off hours are 8:30 to 9:30 a.m.
Items we can take:
Crates (no greater than 30 inches and broken down)
Pet Beds/Crate Pads
Pet Food/Water Bowls
Pet Toys
Pet Treats
Pet Food
Pet Gates
Pet Medication (must not be beyond expiration date)
Pet Sweaters/Coats
Leashes/Collars/Harnesses
Grooming Tools
Cat Litter Boxes
Cat Litter
Cat Scratching Posts or Pads
X-Pens
Puppy Pads/Doggie Diapers
E-Collars
Training Tools
Bath Towels (no hand towels, washcloths)
Blankets
All items should be gently used and washed prior to donation. Items should be in working order.
Please, no washcloths, hand towels, or sheets.
2021: A Banner Year for SaddleBrooke Pet Rescue Network
What a successful year for the SaddleBrooke Pet Rescue Network! With 162 current members and a core volunteer group of 40, along with the assistance and generosity of SaddleBrooke residents, we managed to fill an average of six to seven SUVs and pickups each and every month at our First Friday Drop-Off. Beds, crates, towels, miscellaneous items, and food for pets in need were distributed to Cody’s Friends, Pima Animal Care Center, Pinal County Animal Care and Control, Cherished Tails Senior Sanctuary, and Oracle Animal Rescue and Rehabilitation. The value of these donations in dollars would be approximately $35,000 annually; however, the value of our community coming out and showing their support for our efforts is priceless!
We are also proud of our Re-Homing Team, who found homes for four lucky dogs and facilitated four other pet adoptions. The team also was responsible for finding short-term foster homes for another 16 lucky pets.
Recently, we began a new program. A SaddleBrooke resident and retired veterinarian, Dr. Dawn Thomas, is working with us to serve as a liaison to the rescue groups that we assist. Dr. Thomas will work with the groups to determine the most urgent medical needs.
Big news was that, in August of this year, SaddleBrooke Pet Rescue Network finally received a letter from the IRS accepting our application for 501(c)(3) tax-exempt status, giving the effective date of March 15, 2021! The network is proud to be a non-profit organization and has begun to apply for grants. This will also make all donations to the network tax deductible for the donor.
In September, we held a pet food drive and filled a large pickup and received over $1,300 in cash donations! All of this going to help families in Pinal County who are struggling to keep their pets in their homes and keep them out of the county shelter. This fall, our pet food drive was a huge success. Thanks to all of you who donated!
The Pet Rescue Network pulled out all the stops for our Style Show/Luncheon in November! Ticket sales were so brisk that we decided to have the event on two days. Calle Rose sales proved that ladies were ready to get out there and shop. A portion of the sales proceeds went to the network, and our cash raffle sales exceeded all expectations! Again, we thank all who made this possible. Your generosity allows the network to assist more pets.
The network maintains an online presence to communicate with members and to help support Tucson-area rescue groups and animal shelters. Our Facebook page is updated daily with links sharing animals who have been rescued or who need special attention. Fundraisers by our rescue group partners are posted as well at www.facebook.com/sbpetrescue. Check out the SaddleBrooke Pet Rescue Network website, www.sbpetrescue.com/home.html, for featured articles on Pinal County Animal Care and Control (PCACC), volunteer information, and other useful information. We are also presently working with a cinematographer who is donating his time and expertise to promote SaddleBrooke Pet Rescue Network. He will be helping us establish a YouTube Channel to increase our visibility.